Red Bulls finally sign English forward Rodgers

The New York Red Bulls on Friday announced the long awaited signing of Englishman Luke Rodgers, shoring up the club’s attacking corps as it looks to make a return trip to the postseason in 2011.

Rodgers, 29, joins the Red Bulls after spending his entire professional career in England. He most recently played for Notts County, where he suited up under current Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe, and helped the team gain promotion to League One (English third division) by capturing the League Two (fourth division) championship in the 2009-10 season.

In his time with Notts County, Rodgers appeared in 46 games and scored 13 goals.

Prior to joining Notts County, Rodgers was a member of Yeovil Town of League One, where he signed in Jan. 2009 after being loaned there in Nov. 2008 from League Two side Port Vale. Rodgers played a total of 22 matches for Yeovil Town, scoring three goals. During his years at Port Vale beginning in 2007, Rodgers made 59 appearances and notched 16 goals. During the 2007-08 season in which Port Vale competed in League One, Rodgers had nine goals in 36 games.

Rodgers played at League One side Crewe Alexandra from 2005 to 2007, where he tallied nine goals in 38 appearances. He began his career with a lengthy tenure at fourth-division side Shrewsbury Town. During a six-year career at the club, Rodgers played in 179 matches in all competitions, and scored 79 goals.

Rodgers joins a New York attacking stable that includes Thierry Henry and youngster Juan Agudelo, the perceived starters up top after the club parted ways with Designated Player Juan Pablo Angel during the offseason.